St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

www.xavierbrunswick.org, 912-265-3249

August 9, 2020

Get out of the boat!

-When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. Remember it was Jesus who sent the disciples out in the boat and now the boat is being battered. From this let us learn that even when we are in the center of God’s will life can be challenging. We often think that all of our life must be peachy keen. Even in the center of God’s will we will encounter challenges. In this instance Jesus seems to allow this incident so as to stretch the faith of the disciples. You can have challenging moments in your life and be right where God wants you.

-During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. The Roman system divided the night watch into four slots: six to nine, nine to midnight, midnight to three, and three to six. It is not until the fourth watch that Jesus comes to the disciples, sometime after three in the morning. Could he have come immediately? Yes, but it seems He did this to test them. Sometimes God will allow us to struggle in this life so we can grow. If you help a butterfly out of its cocoon it will never have the power in its wings to fly. Sometimes life’s struggles are there to help us to grow.

-At once Jesus spoke to them, “take courage, it is I: do not be afraid.” The disciples are tired and scared but in their need Jesus comes to them. He utters encouraging words, “Do not be afraid.” This phrase appears in the Bible over 360 times! Our God wants to assure us that He is there to help us in our fears and difficulties. This was a favorite phrase of Pope John Paul II.

-He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. With Jesus we can do great things. Peter actually walked on water! How amazing that must have been! Can you actually picture that scene? How exhilarating! When we follow the voice of Jesus we can do amazing things. With God Moses led the people from Pharaoh’s hand and through the Red Sea. David slew a giant and defeated many

armies. A teenage girl became the Mother of God. Are we open to God’s plan for us?

-But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Why does Peter sink? When his eyes are fixed on Jesus he walks on water. When he looks around at the wind and waves, his surrounding circumstances, he sinks.

-Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Although Jesus tarried in reaching the disciples he doesn’t tarry when Peter falters. Peter is in danger and Jesus immediately stretches out his hand. In our darkest moments Jesus will hold out his hand to catch us. But he also challenges Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Can I remember that in my darkest moments that Jesus is there?

-After they got in the boat the wind died down. When Jesus is in the boat with us we are secure and life’s troubles seem to disappear.

-Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Sometimes fear can bring us to our knees but also reverence can bring us to our knees. The disciples experienced both that night on the Sea of Galilee.

-What is the central message for us today? It is just this, “If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.” Are we not all inspired to greatness? Do we not wish to do great things for God? Are we excited by the idea of risk and challenge? Yes, but the problem is that we are very comfortable in the boat. It may be stormy, there might be water coming into the boat but at least we are familiar with it so we will sit there.

-John Ortberg writes: “I believe there are many good reasons to get out of the boat. But there is one that trumps them all: The water is where Jesus is. The water may be dark, wet and dangerous. But Jesus is not in the boat. The main reason Peter got out of the boat is that he wanted to be where Jesus was. Matthew keeps referring to this reality. Peter’s request is, “Lord, if it’s you, command me to come to you.” Then Peter got out of the boat “and came toward Jesus.”

-If you stay in the boat you will never grow. The regret of old age is often the road not taken. Fear holds us back. Hope leads us forward. As we hear this Gospel today I ask you to think this week, “What is the boat that I am clinging to? How am I holding myself back from following Jesus?” This week may we get out of the boat and get our feet wet!

-Fr. Tim McKeown

1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a

At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him,

“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and

heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD - but the LORD was not in

the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake - but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the

earthquake there was fire - but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering

sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Romans 9:1-5

Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bear-

ing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were

accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are

Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;

theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forev-

er. Amen.

Matthew 14: 22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side,

while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was

evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by

the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking

on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and

they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to

him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out

of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he

became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out

his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the

boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of

God.”

Psalm: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (#476)

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy Like the wideness of the sea; There’s a kindness in his justice Which is more than liber-ty. There is plentiful redemption In the blood that has been shed; There is joy for all the members In the sorrows of the Head.

For the love of God is broader Than the measures of our mind, And the heart of the Eternal Is most wonderfully kind. If our love were but more simple We should take him at his word, And our lives would be thanksgiving For the goodness of our Lord.

Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #736013-A

Holy, Holy, Holy (#211)

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee: Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three Persons, blessed Trinity. Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #736013-A.

The SFX Community extends their prayers and condo-lences to the families of Stan Jennings, Peter Homitz and Mary Stock. May they rest in the peace of Christ.

St Vincent de Paul is open

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10-4.

The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry has the following specific needs:

Canned fruit (Peach slices/chunks, Pear slices/chunks, Fruit Cocktail, Mixed Fruit, Pineapple slices/rings/tidbits, Mandarin Oranges (All the above in water or light syrup, if possible.)

Cut Green Beans, cans

Whole Kernel Corn, cans

Vienna sausage, 4.6 oz. pop-top cans

Luncheon meats (Spam, Treat, etc.), pull-top cans

Solid White or Chunk Light Tuna, cans or pouches

Pasta & Meat bowls, microwaveable

Pasta & Meat items, cans

Please think in terms of regular-size items rather than large or super-size. Pop-top cans and mi-

crowaveable items meet the needs of those we serve who do not have kitchen facilities. BOGO’s

are a great way to buy one for your family and one for our pantry. Basic personal hygiene items

for men and women are always needed.

St. Vincent de Paul ministry has an immediate need for volunteers willing to help in the

thrift store on Wednesdays and Fridays, anytime from 10am - 4pm. Many of our

volunteers are older, or immuno compromised, and they work as they are able. Unfortu-

nately, several of them had to step back this week, so we need people on Wednesdays

and/or Fridays, who are willing to wear a mask, welcome our customers with open

hearts, and help with the register or bagging. We provide masks, gloves, and hand san-

itizer for all our volunteers, if any extras are needed...Volunteers work whatever hours

work for them. Generally, the store is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

(masks required); on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the store is closed, and thoroughly

cleaned and disinfected.

CONFESSIONS Confessions are offered on Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. Sundays at

7:45 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. Also, by appointment.

Daily Mass

With the start of school we will implement a new

daily mass schedule which will begin on August 10: Monday: noon Tuesday: noon Wed: 7:00 pm (no morning mass) Thursday: 8:00 a.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. school mass

FLOCKNOTES

We send out four or five updates each week through a

text/email system called Flocknotes. These can be

essential during emergency times (Coronavirus,

Hurricanes, storms, etc.) to relay information. To sign up

for general messages or from groups you are part of: Text

SFX150 to 84576 to begin and follow the instructions that

are sent to you.

Saturday August 15 is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the

Blessed Virgin Mary. Because it falls on a Saturday it is not a holy

day of obligation. But we will offer a special mass that day at 10:00

am in the main church. The Solemnity commemorates the As-

sumption of Mary body and soul into heaven by Jesus and reminds

us of our hope to one day be taken to heaven to be with Our Lord!

Mass Intentions - August 8 - 16

August 8th - t George & Rita Doubek & Roaseanne Hale, t Eleanor Daniel

August 9th- t Maria Aurora Soler, Mary Ellen Vactor & Jim Lennon, t Souls in Purgatory

August 10th - Mary Ellen Vanvactor & Jim Lennon

August 11th - t Flora Sarigumba

August 12th - t Domenico D’Ettore, t Rose Silva

August 13th - t Maria Zagami

August 14th- Mary Gailey

August 15th - Knights of Columbus, t Maria Zagami

August 16th- t James Powell & Attilio Tozzi, t Domenico D’Ettore, Our Parish Family

If you are interested in purchasing supplies for St. Francis Xavier School,

please pick up a list from the back tables. You may return items to the

Church anytime that the Church is open. Please do not bring supplies to

the Parish Office. Any questions, call the School office at 912-265-9470.

Metanoia episodes 9 and 10 will be show this Wed. in the Nar-thex at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR): Classes will begin

September 13th. We will begin registrations Aug 29th & 30th,

after the Masses. Registration forms will be available on the

tables starting next weekend. For more information, pick up

a flyer from the back table. Return form at registration.

Rite of Christian Initiation (R.C.I.A.): Want to become Catholic, never baptized, Baptized another denomination, never received sacraments. If you have questions or want to begin the RCIA journey, please contact Deacon Larry Guyer, Director of Religious Education at 912-265-3249 ext. 14. ATTENTION TEEN RCIA: Will begin Sunday, October 18th. Teens needing

sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist will meet in the school

Sunday Mornings, 09:20 – 11:00.

St. Francis Xavier Staff email addresses

Fr. Tim: tmckeown@diosav.org

Fr. Chris: chassel@diosav.org

Ann: annbuebel@yahoo.com

Deacon Larry: guyerla@comcast.net

Marisol: sfxcym05@gmail.com

Juan: ganuza@msn.com

Maggie: maggie.shafer@sfxcs.org

Dr. Mermann: tmermann@sfxcs.org